The number of bikers slightly injured fell by 2%, according to the latest quarterly estimates from the Department for Transport. The rate of all casualties for motorcyclists, including mopeds and scooter riders, remained static.

It makes us the only group of road users for whom casualties rose in the 12 months to the end of September 2007.

The number of riders killed or seriously injured (KSI) was 6,670 compared to 6,393 during the previous 12 months.

All casualties were down by 4%, from 262,102 to 252,690. Car drivers saw the biggest KSI fall, down 42%, while the rate for pedestrians was static.